Our Story

LumeTrails was born from a deeply personal experience—one rooted in my family’s story and in the quiet resilience I witnessed growing up.

My mother is a Ukrainian immigrant who came to the United States to give me opportunities she did not have. Like many immigrants, she started her life here working in the service industry. It was not because she lacked ability or ambition—quite the opposite. My mother is one of the smartest, most resilient people I know. She immigrated twice, speaks five languages, and possesses remarkable emotional intelligence and determination.

Yet transitioning into a professional corporate environment proved far more difficult than it should have been.

The barriers she faced were not about capability. They were about access, guidance, and understanding the unwritten rules of professional systems—how to craft a resume that speaks the language of corporate hiring, how to prepare for interviews, how to translate life experience into professional value.

I remember sitting with her as we worked through these steps together—rewriting her resume, preparing for interviews, navigating unfamiliar processes. Watching her go through this transition was eye-opening. I realized how many incredibly capable women face the same challenge: they have the intelligence, the work ethic, and the drive, but they lack the guidance, resources, or professional networks that make these transitions possible.

That realization stayed with me.

At the same time, I was navigating my own professional path and beginning to see how powerful mentorship and community support can be in shaping careers. It became clear that there should be more support available to women who are trying to enter, re-enter, or pivot in their professional lives.

That is how LumeTrails was born.

LumeTrails is, in many ways, a tribute to my mother and to everything she sacrificed to build a better future for our family. But it is also built for the countless women whose stories look similar—women who are capable, motivated, and resilient, but who simply need the right guidance at the right moment.

Through LumeTrails, we connect women with mentors we call Pathfinders—individuals who can offer practical advice, encouragement, and insight as women navigate career transitions and professional growth. Our goal is not just to provide resources, but to create a supportive community where women feel seen, supported, and empowered.

I firmly believe that meaningful change often begins with small acts—someone taking the time to review a resume, offer advice, make an introduction, or share their experience. When those acts are multiplied through a community, they can transform lives.

LumeTrails was created with that belief at its core: that collective support, mentorship, and understanding can help illuminate the path forward for women seeking meaningful and sustainable careers.

With gratitude for the women who inspire this mission every day,

Elizabeth Orshanski

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

LumeTrails